2010-05-20, 03:24 AM
-810 ms (0.81 seconds)
-For DPS and such, smart use of my calculator (link is in my siggy) will let you figure that out pretty easily. There's a cell for damage with Octopus. Be sure to read the notes on the cells; they explain how things work in case it's unclear.
-It's damage is dependent on DEX and STR only, so yes, what you said is true.
As for when it's viable to use, I'd say all the time during bossing. At low levels it's kind of meh (only a little better if you're frame-perfect), but at high levels it is *always* worth the time it takes to cast and then some. Even if you're appled/gelted/demon elixer'd. So long as you're sure that Octopus is hitting the enemy for his full duration, he's worth casting. In fact, that's why I added the "efficiency" cell in my calculator, so you can see what % of the time he'd need to be attacking for him to be worth casting. He's not worth casting if you know the boss is about to guard, but that's the only situation.
I have in fact altered my style against HT specifically so that I can cast Octopus as much as possible. Whenever I'm attacking facing left, I try and jump-cast Octo when I move right. When I'm on the top left, I try and move forward so I can cast him on the first step (if you don't cast him on the step he won't attack, even though he's in range. Idiot). And I always cast him 3 times whenever a head guards. He's really great.
As for training, you would never really want to use it if your boat isn't broken. All that will do is draw unnecessary aggro and get you hurt more. But for situations like this, he's perfect.
That's all I can think of at the moment. If it wasn't obvious, I'd like you to know that I love Octopus.
-For DPS and such, smart use of my calculator (link is in my siggy) will let you figure that out pretty easily. There's a cell for damage with Octopus. Be sure to read the notes on the cells; they explain how things work in case it's unclear.
-It's damage is dependent on DEX and STR only, so yes, what you said is true.
As for when it's viable to use, I'd say all the time during bossing. At low levels it's kind of meh (only a little better if you're frame-perfect), but at high levels it is *always* worth the time it takes to cast and then some. Even if you're appled/gelted/demon elixer'd. So long as you're sure that Octopus is hitting the enemy for his full duration, he's worth casting. In fact, that's why I added the "efficiency" cell in my calculator, so you can see what % of the time he'd need to be attacking for him to be worth casting. He's not worth casting if you know the boss is about to guard, but that's the only situation.
I have in fact altered my style against HT specifically so that I can cast Octopus as much as possible. Whenever I'm attacking facing left, I try and jump-cast Octo when I move right. When I'm on the top left, I try and move forward so I can cast him on the first step (if you don't cast him on the step he won't attack, even though he's in range. Idiot). And I always cast him 3 times whenever a head guards. He's really great.
As for training, you would never really want to use it if your boat isn't broken. All that will do is draw unnecessary aggro and get you hurt more. But for situations like this, he's perfect.
That's all I can think of at the moment. If it wasn't obvious, I'd like you to know that I love Octopus.